February 2019: GSMA and Project Everyone have released the ‘SDGs in Action’ app. It shares sustainable development and SDG news from around the world, shares stories of how innovation is helping to achieve the Goals, and connects users with opportunities to plan and join sustainable actions and events. It also has several features designed to engage users in actions related to the SDGs and to focus on particular SDGs of interest to them.

‘SDGs in Action’ is available in six languages and can be downloaded for free from the website. The app provides detailed information on each of the 17 SDGs, including targets, key facts and figures, and explanatory videos. Users can also access the World’s Largest Lesson, which explains each of the SDGs. Users can select the SDGs most important to them and receive notifications and news specifically focused on that SDG.

The app includes case studies related to each SDG topic. SDG 15 (life on land), for example, features a GSMA case study on Ericsson and the Rainforest Connection initiative, the first real-time data source to track sounds in the forest. The initiative provides alerts that register and notify local authorities and global social media when there are sounds of illegal logging, distressed animals or gunshots.

The app also shares suggestions on how individuals can help take action on the SDGs. On SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), the app suggests that users take advantage of their right to elect leaders in their country and local community, and speak up and denounce corrupt practices in their community. Other suggestions under the “what can I do” tab for SDG 16 recommend that users know their rights, make their community aware of their rights and work together to demand peaceful and just conditions, and request local government facilitate access to justice for all, regardless of the size of their city or community.

Users can use features to create actions they are planning in their area and invite others to join. Users can also search for actions and events near them that they can join to support the SDGs. Featured actions include: “Mission Zero Waste,” which calls for reducing, reusing, recycling and repeating to contribute to SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15; “Don’t Print,” which calls on users to download the files they need and save paper to help the earth in support of SDG 15; and “No More Plastic Bottles,” which encourages users to stop buying plastic bottles and reduce plastic in the oceans as a contribution to SDG 14.

GSMA represents the interests of nearly 800 mobile operators around the world. Project Everyone is a non-profit global campaign that works to spread the messaging of the SDGs. [SDGs in Action App]